Sometimes the best advice is silence.
I think we're far enough along now in the self help stage of life where everyone can just shut up.
Often times... life just sucks.
I know that is hard to hear, well it's certainly depressing, but it's imperative to embrace.
And some of these wise catchphrases need a break.
Redditor ThrilledStoic wanted to share the sage wisdom that is on everyone's last nerve. They asked:
"What life advice can just f**k off?"
"Money doesn't buy happiness."
The HELL it doesn't! Just my experience.
So Much Time
"Pretty much anything about what age you have to be to like buy a house, have kids, get married, have a career or anything like that. Seriously every person lives a different life than everyone else. Live your life the way that makes you happy. If you want. Up to you."
Ginger-Beefcake
Head Talk
"Telling people 'It's all in your head.'"
my_gender_is_a_glock
"Mental illness is in the head, that's why it's so hard for people to recognize it and empathy with it. If someone is paralyzed you can see it, if someone is suffering from depression it is invisible. This sentence should be 'people can suffer from things you can't always see or understand so be kind to them.'"
talknoller
"cleans up"
"'Live every day as if it's your last.' No. That encourages people to keep up all kinds of terrible habits cause YOLO."
ErisianMoon
"There is a TV/movie show about how a guy with terminal cancer goes around and 'cleans up" society and corrupted politicians. Can't remember the name of it, but hell it's exactly what I'd do if I knew I had a time limit."
defensive_username
Fight
“Ignore the bullying and it will go away,' like wtf is that logic, if you are actively letting bullying happen to you it will only get worse (in my experience)."
kianstartedskating
Yeah, the bullies don't leave until you send them packing. Just FYI.
Higher to?
“Never settle. Reach for the stars.”
"Sometimes knowing your limits is a good thing. Otherwise you may refuse something good because you’re trying to get something that’ll never be possible."
macaronsforeveryone
Stronger
“'What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.' Nope— not true. Some things leave you permanently changed, and not always for the better. Yes, it is possible (and often times a good thing!) to try and find silver-linings regarding crummy situations, but to completely ignore how something may hurt someone is absolutely foolish."
itsgoodpain
"My parents used to tell me this when I had a conflict with one of our class' teachers. 'You'll get better at dealing with stubborn cruel people,' they said. Well crap, they were wrong. In reality, the case turned out to not be 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger' but more like "what doesn't kill you leaves you crippled, then mutates and tries again" instead."
Lx_Kill3rK1ng_xJ
Happily Ever After
"You're not married because you're too picky. So I'm supposed to settle just so I can be married? You better believe I'm going to be picky when it comes to the person I'm going to interconnect everything with for the rest of my life. In fact, I know more married people that are in unhappy marriages because they weren't picky enough. Better to be single than with the wrong person."
CamaroNoir
Just Smile
"'Don't be depressed, there are other people doing worse than you.' Thanks, I know that and try to help them sometimes.But that won't help my depression leave just because i compare myself to other people having a worse life than me."
Scarmaster21
"I just saw a suggested response on another sub. If someone says, 'Don’t be depressed, there are people worse off than you,' you can reply with, 'Don’t be happy, there are people much better off than you.”
heiberdee2
It's all Crap
"That things will get better with time. Really. No. Sometimes crap don't get better with time. If people have nothing productive to say don't say anything."
Aggressive_Smile_944
overworking is rampant...
"Work faster, you need to manage your time better. Nooo, they need to hire a second person. One person can only do so much."
ItsmeMr_E
"I often doubted myself when I noticed that I was the only one staying late in the office. One of my colleagues even goes home early. But when I ask around, turns out that a few other colleagues work in the evening and on weekends at home too. So it’s not just me lol. The issue of overworking is rampant in many industries."
pisceanm00n
a theory...
"Anything involving the idea of 'soul mates' can really set you up for a big fall."
FishingOk3283
"Me and my friends have a theory. Sometimes you just come across people in your life that you have some sort of indescribable connection with. This is our definition of soul mates. We call them soul friends, and there no limit of how many you can come across."
KingCollapperdapper
No person is perfect...
"Some day you'll find the perfect person. No, relationships are work. No person is perfect. It's finding someone that you can learn and grow with that you in fact looking for."
marsumane
"Also, and I'm sorry, but many people die without having a special one. A lot of people do not find love. The idea that it will happen at some point is not realistic for many. Just try to live a happy and fulfilled life. If somebody comes along, great, if they don't, remember that life is way too short. Do not wait to do things when you have somebody, because they might not appear."
StrawberryinPizza
How is this advice?'
"'But they're family!' I didn't know being related stopped people from being AHs."
"On the flip side, if we're family, why are you treating me like shit in the first place? 'How is this advice?' Because I'm sure we've all been told at one point or another to forgive/apologize to an abusive family member, simply because we're related, as if that changes anything. Hope that clears it up."
KaiJonez
HALT!
"'Never go to bed angry.' When you're tired and cranky, that's not the best time to solve your problems. Get some sleep, clear your head, and talk about it in the morning... preferably after breakfast, so you're not hangry."
Forsaken-Economy-416
"HALT reacting to an issue until you’re not Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired. It’s good freaking advice. Eat. Chill yourself out. Talk to a friend. Sleep. Then deal."
randijeanw
Time will Tell...
"It gets easier with age."
_UnknownAccount_
"61 here, fwiw. Depends entirely on what 'it' is. Interacting with people instead of being paralyzed with embarrassment/anxiety/self-consciousness? Yes. Having your heart broken? No. Juggling the demands of your life? ehhh... at best I'd say one gets used to it. And damn, take care of your body when you're younger - the knees and liver are only so forgiving."
Strange-Broccoli-393
WRONG!
"'The customer is always right.' I don't work retail or anything, but whenever I go shopping, I see a lot of customers verbally abusing store associates. It's terrible."
yamsnavas2
"I used to work in customer service and I was specifically told during my training 'The customer is never right. You are right. You know the law and the company policy, the customer knows neither of those things no matter what they say.'"
TheKelseyOfKells
No Guarantees...
"That going to college will guarantee you a high paying job.' I heard that shit all my childhood and it just absolutely is not always true. Trade school degrees that are way cheaper can pay more and give you a better chance at a job. Wish someone would have told me this 15 years ago."
Minion0827
Not Always...
"Always forgive' Some acts are unforgivable. Should you work through the horrible things that were done to you so that you can heal and aren't impacted negatively on a daily basis? Yes. Does that require forgiveness? No. 'Turn the other cheek' and 'Be the bigger person' are also tidbits of life advice that tend to work out mostly in the favor of the people who always take the low road. Stand up for yourself."
rikki_million
Yes, things can get better. But not always. You still have to survive. Just a heads up.
Want to "know" more?
Sign up for the Knowable newsletter here.
Never miss another big, odd, funny or heartbreaking moment again.
Life goes by in an instant. I was told that constantly as I wasted every second of my youth.
Ok, maybe I'm being a tad dramatic, but I wish I had listened to wisdom from my elders more.
Life does fly by, and everyone should be prepared for it.
One of the ways to get the most out of the best years, is to live it up with smarts.
If only there was a handbook to be given out in our teenage years.
There's an idea! *note to self...*
Redditor jcab0219 asked:
"Redditors age 35+, what’s the best piece of life advice you can give to someone in their 20’s?"
Smile and dance more.
And don't get tangled up in unrequited love.
Hard truth...
"HE'S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU!!!"
Listen to your body...
"Wear your sunscreen! Or more broadly, take care of you. Your skin, your teeth, your joints, your sexual health, etc. Invest in yourself for the long haul." ~ Wildflower_Daydream
"Find some exercise that you enjoy doing. And don't forget about stretching! I cannot stress this enough." ~ cellar9
"Stretch before and after exercise/sports. Listen to your body - pushing through pain in your 20s haunts you in your 30s. Exercise regularly, try to keep your weight within a healthy range. Shoes with arch & ankle support!" ~ Wildflower_Daydream
Fund Issues
"Pay extra money for quality items that separate you from the ground like shoes, mattresses (including sheets, pillows, blankets) tires, couches, lounge chairs, etc). Also, protect your hearing because you can’t ever get it back." ~ seedemployee
"Start planning for retirement as soon as possible. The later you wait to start, the longer you will have to work." ~ seedcolobus
Be Smart
"Make a savings account of some kind RIGHT NOW, don't take anything out of it, only add to it. If you're gonna have the kind of sex that can result in pregnancy, be diligent about your birth control. Condoms, the pill, whatever - pulling out isn't good enough. Don't accidentally get pregnant or accidentally get someone pregnant."
"When drinking, learn your limits with people you trust and then don't make a habit of going past them. Don't leave your drink unattended in public places. Remember that you don't have to drink if you don't want to, and not wanting to is a good enough reason to avoid booze." ~ I_DRINK_ANARCHY
Teeth. The teeth!!
And our bodies.
They give out fast, if we let them.
So don't let them!
So Much to Learn
"Skip tobacco completely. Invest a small amount weekly or monthly with out fail. You have many investment opportunities with little or no road blocks than ever before. Never stop learning. Make friends and network as much as possible but cut your losses on toxic people. Learn to play an instrument. Take care of your body and teeth. Too many pieces to pick just one." ~ Chadchungus_Cajones
Spend a Little...
"Never go cheap on items that separate you from the ground. Especially mattresses. Remember that you sleep about 1/3 of your life. If you become say 90 you will have slept for 30 years!!! Imagine that on a crappy mattress." ~ Muisvleer
Preparations...
"Be prepared for eventualities. Have some funds stashed away at home that no one but you knows about. When you need it, banks might not be open, atms, etc. Bad weather can knock all that out. Same with food/water. Stop watching/reading the mainstream news. You’ll feel better mentally. Just... stop. This planet’s been through stuff 1000x worse than the latest scarce-story."
"It’s never too late to get into better physical shape. Ever. It does you good in all sorts of ways. Be wary of the latest trends. Don’t be a weathervane that blows in the wind. Learn as much as you can about stuff you’re interested in. This may well lead to a new/much better job or career." ~ SqueakyTheCat
Educate Yourself
"Don’t go to college unless you are going for law, medicine, teaching, engineering, etc something lucrative and that your loans can be written off or you can pay them off in under 5 years." ~ lexiezazzles
Walk Away
"You don’t deserve to be treated like crap by the people who are supposed to love you, and it’s okay to walk away from a toxic situation that is affecting your own quality of life." ~ BlackCaaaaat
"Learned this one the hard way. Sometimes walking away is the best thing for your health, even if the person is family." ~ jcab0219
Critical Thinking
"Think about children carefully. Children with special needs can happen to anyone, and parenting is forever. Try not to chase happiness. As lame as it may seem, happiness isn’t about having what you want, but wanting what you have. Be grateful for what you have." ~ shaylahbaylaboo
Don't be Tardy
"It's never too late, but if you spend your life telling yourself it's too late then it eventually will be." ~ Quzzyz
That is a ton of great advice.
So let's start adhering to it.
What could it hurt?
Want to "know" more?
Sign up for the Knowable newsletter here.
Never miss another big, odd, funny or heartbreaking moment again.
Epiphanies are tough to come by. Sometimes we need a wiser person to just come right out with it and slap us in the face with some straight truth about life and the world.
Therapists, great uncles, teachers, television show characters, and even parents all may be the one spewing the wisdom.
Unfortunately, hearing the advice is usually only 25% of the battle. Actually listening to the message and incorporating that wisdom into the way you lead your life is really where the rubber meets the road.
Take note of some Redditors dropping some life knowledge that they heard once upon a time. Maybe one of these will save you some trouble.
thicluna asked, "What's the best piece of life advice you've ever heard?"
Be Here Now
"Don't borrow fear from the future." -- Mrstpaul
"I don't borrow it, I copy&paste it, it's still gonna be there in the future." -- mikrodizels
"And quit hoping for a better past!" -- Snoo11600
Up to You
"Being alone isn't the same as being lonely" -- Gosenco
"absolutely. solitude is an important part of life" -- ashritaebc
"It works the other way around too. Just because I'm around people all the time that doesn't mean I don't feel lonely." -- RMPY96
We're Not in a Vacuum
"'True character can be observed by what someone does when they think no one is watching.'"
"It made me a more honest person, and it definitely helped me become more comfortable just being me."
Each Has It's Place
"Find 3 hobbies. One that makes you money, one that keeps your mind sharp/creative, and one that keeps your body in shape." -- ConsultantForLife
"What if your hobby does all 3?" -- EasternCoffeeCove
"Then you still need two sucky hobbies to make the full set" -- potentialprimary
Confrontation Has Its Place
"Stand up for yourself!! Even if it may seem socially rude to do. If you aren't comfortable, make it known."
"You don't have to intentionally be rude or obnoxious about it, but seriously. Don't let yourself be walked over."
"Something I have had to learn and get comfortable with. It has greatly improved my experiences with people."
-- -keewee_
A Pragmatic Kind of Wisdom
"Always pay for good quality when it comes to anything that's getting between you and the ground. Shoes, tires, mattresses, don't skimp and get the cheap options for things like that." -- Al_Rascala
"Yep, buy once, cry once." -- SnooHabits8041
Keep Your Head Down
"Do not shy away from pain or discomfort when trying to improve your life. Self-improvement is supposed to hurt, for thou art both the sculptor, and the stone." -- Beovulfr
"Can confirm, only by facing the pain I experienced and changing my perspective of what this means for me was I able to grow. And it was rapid growth." -- Healthem
Logic Doesn't Always Prevail
"'It's possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not weakness. That is life.' —Captain Jean-Luc Picard" -- -eDgAR-
"I didn't even realize it was a Star Trek quote. I thought I made it up myself." -- With_Trees
Luck, But in Your Hands
"Luck is when preparedness meets opportunity" -- mATT55551
"Now this is an exhilarating line, thank you for sharing, my good man" -- Healthem
An Honor?
"'We are the people our parents warned us about'...Spoken by a heavily intoxicated person at a rave in the early 2000's. It took years for me to appreciate the unintended significance of this gem." -- strobie01
"Jimmy Buffett wrote an entire song with this line in the 80s. Give it a listen." -- Firstamongmonkeys
Want to "know" more? Never miss another big, odd, funny, or heartbreaking moment again. Sign up for the Knowable newsletter here.
What is your biggest obstacle to getting things done?
Personally, I have a ton of trouble staying disciplined and keeping habits. Fatigue from work and social obligations leaves me too tired most days to justify doing something beneficial for myself. Exercise, home improvement projects, and my writing are usually neglected, because I can't harness the willpower to get going.
Lack of motivation is a common problem... That's why Redditor u/lsfeuerborn asked those gifted with discipline, "People who are motivated to do things, how do you do that?"
10. Baby steps
"Breaking down the massive task into bite sizes helps. Wanna climb that mountain? Just take it one step at a time, focus on the next ridge, acknowledge and reward your progress with breaks/snacks, focus on the journey rather than the destination. When you've reached your summit, think/talk about the tremendous accomplishment and try not to think about the next mountain. While in the context of hiking, the principles apply to almost every task, no matter how big or small."
9. Work through the rut
"I don't wait for motivation anymore. I just do what I need to do. Half the time the 'I don't feel like doing this' feeling goes away within minutes."
8. Build a habit
"It's really about making it a habit, getting up and being motivated to do something comes easier the more you push yourself to do it"
"Start small, make it regular. Do one push-up per day. Walk once per day. Read one page of a book you've been meaning to per day. Make it so easy you can't talk yourself out of it, then do it EVERY day without fail. Even small achievements have outsized effects on your mood and confidence, and you will naturally want to do more as time goes on, it will creep into every area of your life. It becomes addictive - discipline is just like a muscle, the more you work it the stronger it gets."
7. Learning a lesson
"Prison, it's a pretty big incentive not to go back, I have a nice apartment good friends slowly building a support system no way I'm going give that up"
6. Find the routines
"Coffee. Turn everything into a precise routine and make it more efficient than the day before (e.g. combining an audiobook with commuting to work before/after rushhour and using the extra time for a workout; making dinner with the cleanup in mind). Sleep schedule with sleep hygiene. And stop talking to lazy people, they will brainwash you into watching too much TV or being on the internet too much"
5. Think about the results
"The results.
Routines are the base to my hapiness, so I push myself to do stuff. For example, I wanted to start working out, so I had to reaaally push myself for the first few months, but once it became a habit and what's more important - I saw my body looking good, it's as normal as brushing my teeth"
4. Maybe it's just your brain
"Honestly, Concerta. I always had trouble beginning tasks. Once I started them I could power through but always felt overwhelmed to start. I was an adult and diagnosed with ADD and Concerta literally changed my life. I am able to work, clean, take care of kids, stay fit, all because I'm not having trouble starting. Even when I skip a day I'm able to do it all because good habits have been ingrained. Seriously, if you struggle with motivation maybe you have a brain like mine and can fix it."
3. Keep your promises
"If you continually break promises to yourself, you are literally training your brain that your words and promises don't matter. You're training yourself to fail.
If you can't keep a promise to yourself, how can you keep a promise to someone else?
It's similar to learning to love yourself before being able to love someone else."
2. Dedicate a little bit of time at a time
"Read the book 'tiny habits'. Motivation is unreliable. What you should aim for is making the task as easy to start as possible (ie put floss in visible sight and easy to reach if you want to do more flossing), find a logical place in your day to consistently do it (after you brush your teeth), and commit to doing the 30second version of it (floss one tooth). You are always welcome to do more.
Over time, it will be easier to do more"
1. Think about that future relax fest
"I am always trying to hook future me up so life can be a bit easier rather than a constant slog. If I get stuff done now then I can relax a bit more in the future and that really makes me motivated to keep pushing."
Want to "know" more? Never miss another big, odd, funny, or heartbreaking moment again. Sign up for the Knowable newsletter here.
The best advice I ever gotten helped me become way less self-conscious.
We all go through awkward phases, and it can feel like everyone is always looking at you and noticing all of your flaws. But one day, a friend pointed out to me that people are too busy obsessing over themselves and their own flaws to be paying attention to mine. It helped me become more comfortable in my skin.
Redditor u/yesasinyes got free life advice when they asked, "What was the best advice someone has ever given you?"
10. Don't worry about what you can't change
"If you have a problem and you can do something about it, do it. If you cant do anything about it, what's the point in worrying?"
8. Don't be a bad driver in the rain
"My dad is a man of a few words but he did give me very sound advice when I got my driver license. He said, 'Make sure you don't get pulled over when it is raining. The cop has to get out, get wet, and by the time they get to you they will be grumpy. They will give you a ticket for their trouble.'"
7. Let go of grudges
"Holding a grudge is like letting someone live inside your head, rent-free.
Evict them, and use that space for something positive and constructive."
6. Can't win them all
"No matter how nice or good you are some people are just not going to like you and that's okay and you need to learn to be okay with that."
5. Be kind to yourself
"What advice would you give if a friend was coming to you with this problem? Sometimes we get so bogged down with our own personal biases and issues we forget that we actually have valuable wisdom to give ourselves"
4. Invest in your 401K
"Start contributing to your 401K, even if only a small percentage to start.
Solid advice from the parentals."
3. Failure is okay
"Successful people are often the people who were willing to fail the most."
2. They'll make it worse for themselves
"If someone's arguing with you and won't let you talk, just don't say anything and let them dig themselves a deeper hole."
1. Shot of bourbon, please
"My great-grandmother had her 92nd birthday, I asked what's her secret. She replied with 'don't sweat the small things and a shot of bourbon will always help'"